Visit by stars of Strictly delights railway owner

STRICTLY STARS Kevin Clifton and Frankie Bridge have waltzed into Angus teenager John Kerr’s latest railway attraction.

John, 18, who owns Kerr’s Miniature Railway in Arbroath, recently took over Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in North East Lincolnshire.

John is the third-generation owner of Kerr’s, taking over the reins three years ago at the age of 15 following the death of his father Matt in 2006.

The teenager’s latest investment was given prime-time exposure on Saturday, when it featured on BBC’s flagship entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing.

Professional dancer Kevin Clifton and Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge were filmed as they danced their way through Grimsby on a flying visit.

Kevin — who is from Grimbsy — and Frankie were f ilmed in a variety of locations in the town, including a visit to Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

John said: “It was a great boost for the railway.

“We only got seven or eight seconds on the telly but it was great exposure.

“It was great of them to come along and they really enjoyed themselves.

“We were delighted to welcome them and have had nothing but good feedback since our appearance.”

The visit was supposed to be hush-hush, but Kevin let the cat out of the bag by posting on Twitter that he was visiting his home town.

John jumped at the chance to acquire the Cleethorpes attraction earlier this year — which boasts 10 locos and 30 carriages.

He bought the railway, which has three stations over a two-mile track, with his 22-year-old business partner Peter Bryant, from Sheffield.

The pair met through a miniature railway website and forum, which Peter operated, and they have been looking for the right opportunity to go into business together for a couple of years.

The previous owners, Chris and Deborah Shaw, wanted to retire but were looking for someone to take on the operation and give the business a new lease of life.

The floral decorations at the railway station have also helped Cleethorpes win successive In Bloom awards.

Kerr’s has been a fixture at the West Links inArbroath since 1935, with plans to extend the track likely to get under way this winter.

Angus Council granted planning permission last year for more track to be laid and two platforms and a ticket booth added.

Singer Frankie Bridge with Kevin Clifton at the miniature railway in Cleethorpes and, inset, railway owner John Kerr.